Tigers place Sanchez, Soria on 15-day DL

The Detroit Tigers placed right-handers Joakim Soria and Anibal Sanchez on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, a blow to the AL Central leaders as they try to hold off Kansas City for the division lead. Detroit began Sunday 1 1/2 games up on the Royals.

Sanchez, who is 8-5 with a 3.53 ERA, left Friday’s game in the fifth inning with a strained pectoral muscle and returned to Detroit on Saturday to undergo an MRI. He’s expected to miss three to four weeks.

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Soria, who was acquired from Texas on July 24, left Saturday’s game while warming up before the 10th inning with a strained muscle in his left side. He’s 1-1 with a 10.38 in six games with Detroit.

The Tigers did not make any moves to replace Sanchez and Soria, leaving their bullpen short for Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. Closer Joe Nathan has appeared in both games at Toronto so far, getting his sixth blown save Saturday. Detroit will add two players before Monday’s game at Pittsburgh.

Left-hander Robbie Ray is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Toledo to start in Sanchez’s place for Wednesday’s home game against the Pirates.